A man accused of killing 10 individuals in a mass shooting at a Colorado supermarket in 2021 was declared guilty on Monday of 10 counts of murder, as stated by Suzanne Karrer, the chief communications officer for the Colorado Judicial Branch.

Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, 25, faced charges of 10 murders along with additional charges that included attempted murder, assault, and various weapon-related offenses. The jury reached its verdict after a trial that lasted two weeks and was delayed for extensive evaluations of Alissa’s mental health. He was deemed competent for trial in 2023 following treatment in a mental health facility.

The facts of the case were not contested during the trial: On March 22, 2021, Alissa opened fire at a King Soopers grocery store in Boulder, Colorado, killing two individuals in the parking lot and eight inside the store. Alissa pleaded not guilty due to insanity, with his defense arguing that he was severely mentally ill at the time of the shooting and could not comprehend right from wrong, thus should not be blamed.

The victims included Eric Talley, Rikki Olds, Denny Stong, Neven Stanisic, Tralona Bartkowiak, Teri Leiker, Suzanne Fountain, Kevin Mahoney, Lynn Murray, and Jody Waters, ranging in age from 20 to 65. Talley, identified as one of the first law enforcement officers on the scene, was among those killed, alongside various customers and employees of the store.

As a result of his conviction, Alissa faces a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole, as Colorado does not have the death penalty.

The jury determined Alissa was guilty of all 55 charges against him, which included 10 counts of first-degree murder, 38 counts of attempted first-degree murder, one count of first-degree assault, and six counts of felony possession of a large-capacity magazine.

Survivors testify and jury views shooting footage

Authorities reported that Alissa commenced firing at approximately 2:30 p.m. on March 22, 2021, and it took him just over a minute to fatally shoot nearly all his victims. Every individual he shot was killed, and the rampage concluded when an officer shot Alissa in the leg.

During the proceedings, prosecutors claimed that Alissa acted intentionally and systematically during the shooting, targeting victims with the goal of maximizing casualties. Jurors heard testimonies from investigators, medical professionals, and survivors, as well as viewing harrowing surveillance and body camera footage.

Pharmacist Sarah Chen shared that while seeking safety during the incident, she overheard Alissa stating, “This is fun,” repeatedly.

Assistant District Attorney Ken Kupfner asserted that Alissa showed a distinct intent to kill, as he persisted in shooting at victims who were still alive until they were no longer moving. In his closing remarks, he pointed out that Alissa’s choice to surrender indicated that he was aware of right and wrong, along with the legality of his actions.

When questioned by a medical professional post-shooting about his reasons for surrendering and removing his clothing and weapons, Alissa explained that he did it so he “wouldn’t get shot by the cops,” Kupfner relayed.

“He recognized that his actions were illegal and that engaging in such behavior was not acceptable,” Kupfner added.

Alissa was armed with a Ruger AR-556 pistol, a legally acquired firearm resembling the AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, during the incident, which occurred about 30 miles (50 km) northwest of Denver on March 22, 2021.

Defense argued ‘insanity explains this tragedy’

After the tragedy, Alissa was diagnosed with schizophrenia while in custody. Initially, he was found unfit for trial and received treatment, causing delays in the legal proceedings. In 2023, Judge Ingrid Bakke from Boulder District Court ruled that Alissa had regained competency and could move forward with the trial. This ruling did not imply that he was free from schizophrenia; rather, it indicated that he was capable of understanding the trial and engaging in his defense.

“Insanity is the sole explanation for this horrific event,” said defense attorney Kathryn Herold during her concluding statement on Friday. “This incident stemmed from a mental illness, not a conscious choice. Mr. Alissa committed these acts due to his psychosis and delusions.”

Alissa claimed to have heard “killing voices” in the moments leading up to the shooting.

Herold recounted the moments prior to the shooting incident. She raised her voice in the courtroom to illustrate the shouting voices that Alissa allegedly heard. “Kill! Kill! Kill!” she shouted.

Herold explained to the jury that a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity would still hold the defendant responsible for the crime since it does not suggest he is innocent of the shooting. Alissa’s defense has never claimed he didn’t commit the act.

During the trial, both of Alissa’s parents provided testimony, expressing their belief that their son was “sick” and had been behaving oddly before the incident. His mother, Khadija Ahidid, shared through an interpreter that her son felt he was being pursued by the FBI, communicated with himself, and had been isolating from family since 2019. She noted that his mental state deteriorated after he contracted COVID shortly before the shooting, according to The Associated Press.

“We thought he might be possessed by a spirit or something,” said Moustafa Alissa, his father, via an interpreter, as reported by AP.

Alissa and his family moved to the U.S. from Syria when he was a young boy, settling in a suburb of Denver. His parents and some siblings testified that Alissa began to withdraw during high school, displaying paranoid behavior and engaging in self-talk.

Kupfner, one of the prosecutors, acknowledged that Alissa was undoubtedly mentally ill, but clarified that this does not equate to insanity. He indicated that Alissa was capable of distinguishing right from wrong.

“We agree he’s mentally ill. He has schizophrenia, but he is not insane,” Kupfner stated.

Contributing: Reuters